Jason Carter Secures Democratic Nomination in Georgia

ATLANTA – Jason Carter, a grandson of former President Jimmy Carter, secured the Democratic nomination for governor in Georgia Friday when no other candidate qualified in the Democratic primary.

Mr. Carter, a 38-year-old state senator from the Atlanta area, announced his candidacy last fall.

Incumbent Republican Gov. Nathan Deal, 71 years old, is expected to win a May 20 primary. He has two challengers, John Barge, the state’s school superintendent, and David Pennington III, the mayor of Dalton, according to the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office.

Mr. Carter faces a difficult road in Georgia, where all statewide offices are held by Republicans and the GOP dominates the legislature. Democrats controlled politics here for generations. But beginning in the 1990s, the GOP won race after race in the state. Many Democratic politicians, including Mr. Deal, then a congressman, switched their affiliation.

Mr. Carter was born in Atlanta, grew up in the Chicago area and attended Duke University. A lawyer in Atlanta, he did not hold elected office until he ran for state senate in 2010.

About Washington Wire

Washington Wire is one of the oldest standing features in American journalism. Since the Wire launched on Sept. 20, 1940, the Journal has offered readers an informal look at the capital. Now online, the Wire provides a succession of glimpses at what’s happening behind hot stories and warnings of what to watch for in the days ahead. The Wire is led by Reid J. Epstein, with contributions from the rest of the bureau. Washington Wire now also includes Think Tank, our home for outside analysis from policy and political thinkers.